Canaveral National Seashore ⓘ

Canaveral means "place of cane," and is one of the oldest recorded geographical names in North America. Merritt Island is thought to have been named by Pedro Marratt, a surveyor who charted the island in the early 1800's. But humans left their imprint here long before European explorers ventured ashore. First Natives, attracted by the fertile estuaries and temperate climate, harvested oysters/clams and discarded the shells in heaps that archeologists study today in the national seashore such as the mounds at Seminole Rest, Turtle Mound, and Castle Windy. In April 1513, Ponce de Leon claimed the land for Spain. Spain retained control until 1821, except for a 20 years period (1763 - 1783) when the British gained control of Florida's east coast. But the extensive wetlands, clashes with Seminole Indians, and clouds of salt marsh mosquitos delayed development until the 1830's, when Douglas Dummett (or Dummitt in other sources) planted an orange grove in th Merritt Island area that began the world-renowned Indian River citrus industry. During the next century villages near citrus groves or water passageways were established, but were abandoned because of storms, isolation, or occasional killing frosts. One of these towns was Eldora, a late-19th century community built near Mosquito Lagoon in what would later become part of the national seashore. Two houses associated with the earyl history of this community have been rehabilitated. Seminole Rest, site of a prehistoric first native mound, dates from about 4,000 to 500 years ago. Archeologists believe that the mound was a place for the Timucuan Indians to gather and process clams. The two late-19th century rehabilitated residences are at the top of the 18 foot high mound. During the early 1900s, the owners refused to sell the content of the mound for road construction material, thus preserving the evidence of the Timucuan people.

Canaveral National Seashore was created by an act of Congress on January 3rd, 1975 to, "...preserve and protect the outstanding natural, scenic, scientific, ecologic, and historic values of certain lands, shorelines, and waters of the State of Florida and to provide for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the same...". The park contains 58,000 acres of barrier island, open lagoon, coastal hammock, pine flatwoods and offshore waters along the east central coast of Florida. It represents an excellent example of a relatively stable barrier beach backed by a productive lagoon system. The park's 24 miles of undeveloped beach is the longest such stretch on the east coast of Florida. Mosquito Lagoon, which comprises over two-thirds of the park, is designated an Outstanding Florida Water and as a part of the 156-mile long Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an Estuary of National Significance. The IRL is considered the most diverse and productive estuary in North America. Mosquito Lagoon supports nationally-recognized commercial and recreational fisheries for finfish, clams, oysters, blue crabs and shrimp. The park provides habitat for 15 federally-listed (Threatened and Endangered) animal species, ranking it second in the entire National Park Service. Three sea turtle species deposit approximately 4000-7000 nests on the beach each year. Large numbers of waterfowl and wading birds utilize the Seashore as a migratory stopover and wintering ground. Located along the "frost line", the park contains a rich and unique mixture of subtropical and temperate plants found nowhere except central Florida.

The north atlantic right whale (Balaena glacialis) which utilizes the coastal waters of Georgia and northeast Florida in the winter as a calving ground for pregnant females and a foraging area for juveniles. It is the most endangered whale species in the western North Atlantic. If you visit between December and March, keep an eye on the horizon offshore for one of these special animals. If you do spot one, be sure to inform the park staff so they can alert other visitors. Since collisions with ships is the greatest threat to the species, large vessels now report when entering whale calving grounds and in turn receive information on any whales in the area.

Ship strikes are the leading cause of death for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Entanglement in fishing gear is also cause of death. Right whales are monitored from Florida up to the Gulf of Maine. 2017 marked an in crease in boat strikes and entanglements equaling 17 deaths. In 2018 (3), 2019 (10), and 2020 1 death.

The 2017 deaths were labeled an unusual mortality event. According to NOAA, “Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, an unusual mortality event (UME) is defined as "a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response." From 2017 to 2020 41 northern right whales have been counted as unusual mortality events. 31 were confirmed dead and 10 confirmed at last visual sighting to be gravely injured. From the last count there are approximately 400 left with the UME’s representing 10% northern right whale mortality.